CARD: Pro Set WLAF 1991 ACQUIRED: 2025, eBay FAILURE: TTM 2011, C/o Home
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
A fast and hard hitting safety who always found a way to be around the ball, Falanda Newton played college ball for TCU from 1986-’88.
In 1987 he had 7 picks for 117 yards.
He also moonlighted at punt returner primarily that season as well.
Newton finished his college career with 15 interceptions for 274 yards and a TD over 33 contests.
Nominated for the Jim Thorpe Award his Senior campaign.
Undrafted, spent time in the camp of the Houston Oilers in ’89 and Cleveland Browns in ’90.
Second to last selection in the WLAF positional draft in 1991 by the New York-New Jersey Knights.
Started all 10 contests at free safety and posted 8 interceptions, 73 tackles, 12 pass deflections, and recovered 3 fumbles.
Set league record with 3 interceptions in a single game against the Monarchs.
Also blocked a punt that season.
Returned to the Knights for the 1992 campaign, posting 5 interceptions and 3 sacks.
After the league went on hiatus, Falanda played for Cincinnati of the Arena Football League in 1993.
Had 43 total tackles, 10 interceptions for 71 yards and 6 pass deflections.
ACCOLADES:
All World League 1991, ’92
NOTES:
Falanda has been impossible to track down or get a response from despite his unique name. When this one popped on eBay, I didn’t think twice and snapped it up immediately. He’s still got two set needs out there for me.
Took my daughter to the grand opening a Crunch Fitness a few miles from my house. It was a good event and Vince was happy to sign two for both of us. My daughter asked him about football and he was happy to stop and talk to her for a few minutes and take a photo with her. No doubt. Vince has had a lot of practice at signing cards and knows exactly where to sign these cards.
Milton College’s most impressive player (because the college is now defunct), Andy Robustelli played both ways at DE and T.
He’d be selected in the 19th round of the 1951 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams.
Robustelli made the team and played for the Rams through 1955.
Traded to the New York, he’d play for the Giants from ’56-’64.
During that time with the Giants, Robustelli developed quite a reputation as a fearsome pass rusher and fantastic read/ react lineman.
Andy only missed one game over his entire playing career.
Worked one year with NBC as a color man in 1965.
Diversified his holdings into leisure travel lifestyles and founded a sports marketing company.
In 1973, Robustelli was approached by Giants’ owner Wellington Mara to take over the front office of the team.
He headed day to day operations for the franchise through the 1978 season.
ACCOLADES:
Pro Football Hall of Fame
Italian Sports Hall of Fame
Walter Camp Man of the Year
New York Giants Ring of Honor
Bert Bell Award
Pro Bowl 1953, ’55-57, ’59-’61
All Pro 1953, ’55-’56, 1958-’60
Second Team AP 1952, ’54, ’57, ’62
NFL Player of the Year 1962
NOTES:
Robustelli has an impressive lineage of family who have played football including grandsons who played in the Arena Football League and CFL as well as former World League defensive lineman and great nephew Dan Sileo.
EPITAPH:
5/31/2011- Andy passed away due to complications from surgery for a kidney stone.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
